Oakwood is now home to a brand new deli where locals can pick up rotisserie chickens, gourmet sandwiches and store cupboard essentials…

District Deli is the latest addition to Oakwood and it comes from someone you might well know. Will Pugh has worked his way around some of the city’s most popular restaurants. After training with Michelin-starred chef Simon Gueller, he became Head Chef at Art’s Café at the age of just 22, before launching Loch Fyne and co-founding health-conscious eatery Filmore & Union.

That’s quite the résumé, and it doesn’t end there, because last year he started Hessian, which is just down the road from its new sister venue District Deli. But while they may come from the same man, they couldn’t be more different. Hessian is a cafe-bar where you can catch up with friends, with classic dishes like chorizo hash and avocado smash. District Deli, on the other hand, is a quick, easy and all too tempting takeout option.

They’ve worked closely with local suppliers to put together a menu of fresh, tasty food that you’ll want in your fridge and your belly. We’re talking chorizo sausage rolls from Lishman’s of Ilkley and gourmet scotch eggs from Skotch’d. You can get fresh rolls and baguettes too, with everything from rye to sourdough, all from local Leeds bakeries Roops and Leeds Bread Co-op.

It’s the same quality bread they make their sandwiches with, so whether you’re popping in for breakfast on the go or want a hearty lunch, you’re in for a treat. You can start the day with a bacon or sausage sarnie for just £2.25. Egg’s £1 cheaper and you can have it all for £2.95.

Later in the day, their fillings get more creative. Sure you can get the usual tuna mayo or cheddar and chutney, but wouldn’t you prefer a hot melt with roasted peppers and goat’s cheese? Or even better, a deli sub with chicken, bacon, peri peri mayo, tomato and green salad. Whichever you choose, it’s yours for just £4.75. There’s a reason we’re emphasising the prices. Despite the quality, it’s all surprisingly affordable.

Come summer, this is going to be the go-to picnic destination. They’ve got everything you need. Alongside the sandwiches, you can choose from a vast selection of deli meat, as well as sides like hummus, coleslaw and a pesto pasta salad. Vegetarians won’t be left out either, with a dedicated range of meat substitutes and homemade dishes like vegan mac ’n’ cheese.

But the real star of the show, at least for the carnivores, is the rotisserie chicken. It’s cooked in a state of the art self-basting oven and comes with a choice of marinades, so you can find your favourite. They’ve turned it into a ready-made dinner with a half chicken and salad for just £6.50 – imagine eating that in Roundhay Park on a sunny evening after work. It sure beats cooking.

You can even pick up a bottle of wine because they have a handpicked selection on sale, including a range of vegan options, like their rich, fruity and ever-so-exotic Deakin Estate Viognier. Alternatively, you can pick up a coffee, made using beans from Casa Espresso, a speciality roaster in Shipley.

Although this is primarily a deli, they do have a small amount of seating inside, so if you’re craving a bacon butty or a healthy smoothie on a miserable winter’s day, you can retreat inside to enjoy it in their small, rustic cafe.